Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KABUL4985
2005-12-08 13:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:  

CODEL MURPHY/SKELTON MEETS KARZAI

Tags:  OVIP PREL PGOV SNAR PARM MASS AF 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 004985 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SA/FO, SA/A, S/CT, EUR/RPM
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
CENTECOM FOR POLAND, CG CFC-A. CG CJTF-76

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: OVIP PREL PGOV SNAR PARM MASS AF
SUBJECT: CODEL MURPHY/SKELTON MEETS KARZAI

Summary
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KABUL 004985

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SA/FO, SA/A, S/CT, EUR/RPM
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
CENTECOM FOR POLAND, CG CFC-A. CG CJTF-76

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: OVIP PREL PGOV SNAR PARM MASS AF
SUBJECT: CODEL MURPHY/SKELTON MEETS KARZAI

Summary
--------------


1. (SBU) Congressmen Murphy, Skelton, and Marshall,
accompanied by Ambassador Neumann, met with President
Karzai on November 24 to discuss U.S. engagement in
Afghanistan. Karzai expected the inauguration of the newly
elected Parliament to occur December 18 or 19 since
announced for the 19th. He felt that ISAF has done a good
job, but noted that NATO had not yet been tested. He added
that the replacement of American troops by NATO forces in
some areas, did, in fact, engender a sense of unease.
Karzai and the Congressmen discussed the overall security
situation: disbandment of armed groups and reconciliation;
counter-narcotics performance; U.S. assistance, including
Afghanistans desire for additional military equipment; and
the Strategic Partnership. End Summary.

National Assembly Inauguration
--------------


2. (SBU) President Karzai told the Congressmen that he
expected the inauguration of the newly elected national
Assembly to take place on December 18 or 19. He said he
was feeling very good about the make-up of the National
Assembly, and was working hard to make preparations.
Saying that the MPs were broadly representative of all
political groups in Afghanistan, he added, with pride in
the Afghan people, that the turnout during the elections
was highest in the regions were the insurgency was worst.
He noted he was meeting daily with MPs-elect, including the
woman who had received the largest number of votes in
Herat. The 249 MPs were busy trying to elect a speaker.
Karzai claimed he was resisting appeals for support from
various candidates, and would not interfere. The Afghan
President commented cheerfully that the elections had
ushered in a new era, with Cabinet Ministers becoming more
alert and on top of their briefs, because they could see
the National Assembly coming up behind them.

Security Conditions Around Afghanistan
-------------- --------------


3. (SBU) In response to a question about what Afghan

regions needed enhanced security, Karzai responded
immediately that the areas bordering Pakistan needed
heightened protection. There had been periods of tension
between Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said, adding that what
Pakistan was now doing on border security was all right,
but Afghanistan would like to see Pakistan doing more.
.
Karzai also pointed out that much hate material against
Afghanistan originated in madrassas in Pakistan, which made
the man in the street in Afghanistan angry. The Afghan
leader said that ISAF had done well, but NATO had not yet
been tested. He acknowledged that there was lingering
concern among some people when U.S. troops, who had
shouldered the burden of bringing security to the most
troubled areas, were replaced by troops from other nations.
Karzai opined that the Bonn Agreement had been implemented
in an exemplary manner, but that the possibility still
remained that Afghanistan could fall back into trouble, and
that there would be danger for years to come. The
Congressmen stressed they were a bipartisan delegation (one
Republican and two Democrats),and that the U.S. was in
Afghanistan for the long haul, and was not going to abandon
Afghanistan.

Reconciliation Process
--------------


4. (SBU) Karzai told the Congressmen that there had been a
a
great reduction in the number of weapons around
Afghanistan. Virtually all of the large weapons had been
collected through the DIAG process, though it was harder to
collect the small weapons. He added that Professor
Mojadedis reconciliation process was working very well.
Over 600 former Taliban and others had come back to
Afghanistan from Pakistan, including 250 more senior former
officials and commanders. Karzai said that most had been
reabsorbed into their villages and communities, noting that
some who had committed particularly heinous acts were hated
by the people and would not come back.

Counter-Narcotics
--------------


5. (SBU) Karzai emphasized in standard language his
governments commitment to counter-narcotics work,
repeating familiar statistics about last years 21 percent
reduction in the area under cultivation, a decrease of
27,000 hectares. Citing a bomb set off near the site of a
recent anti-poppy rally, Karzai said it was a tough war
war
that the GOA has to win. The Afghan leader and the
Congressmen discussed the nexus between
insurgents/terrorist and narco-traffickers, which Karzai
said had a long history in modern Afghanistan, particularly
under the Taliban. Karzai noted that alternative
livelihoods were essential, and described Afghanistans
potential as one of the worlds best fruit producers. He
cited the success of Afghans in re-planting orchards around
the country over the last year, and exporting pomegranates
to Japan a healthy, high value fruit.

Positive Relations with the U.S. Beyond Doubt
-------------- --------------


6. (SBU) President Karzai thanked the U.S. for its
presence and contributions to Afghan stability, saying that
Afghanistan would always be a strong partner for the U.S.
in the war on terror. Before his last trip to the U.S. to
announce the Strategic Partnership between the U.S. and
Afghanistan, he had met with a group of some 1200 shura
ura
(traditional tribal council) leaders to discuss the
Strategic Partnership. Only two had offered mildly
critical comments overall the group had been
overwhelmingly.

Assistance Programs
--------------


7. (SBU) The Afghan President expressed satisfaction with
the monetary levels of assistance from the U.S. and the
international community. He noted that there were some
losses through contractors and sub-contractors. Karzai
praised U.S. road construction, education, and health
programs. The backbone roads system was essential to
enable the farmer to market his crops and grow the economy,
vital for counter-narcotics progress, bringing government
and governance throughout the provinces, as well as for
enabling security and transportation for the military.
President Karzai noted that the power sector had problems,
even though electricity availability was better than three
years ago. Congressman Murphy asked Karzai if Afghan
hospitals could use supplies from American hospitals in his
district, which had surpluses that they would like to
donate. Karzai replied that the Ministry of Health would
be happy to accept such donations.


8. (SBU) With respect to strengthening ANA forces in
Afghanistan, Karzai expressed satisfaction with their
training, but urges the USG to consider supplying
additional equipment, including airlift capability. He
said he did not want the ANA to go back to old Soviet
equipment, and that he was not allowing the GOZ to engage
with the Russians (who, he implied were ready to be
helpful). Karzai acknowledged that increasing equipment,
and that he was not allowing the GOA to engage with the
Russians (who, he implied were ready to be helpful).
Karzai acknowledged that increasing equipment would be a
financial/budget challenge for the GOA, which already
relies heavily on assistance to pay the ANAs costs. He
noted, however, that when a U.S. helicopter had been shot
down in a mountainous area, it had taken the ANA 17 days to
get to the site because the ANA had no airlift capability.


Thanksgiving
--------------


9. (SBU) President Karzai was gracious and made frequent
reference to his fondness for the U.S., and Afghanistans
reliability as a partner in the war on terror. He spoke
warmly about his experiences visiting his brother in
Maryland, and his pleasure driving himself (without and
entourage and security) and enjoying coffee at Starbucks,
as well as his enjoyment of country music in Nashville. He
said that all of his brothers had now returned to
Afghanistan. Karzai recounted how much he had enjoyed
partaking of turkey and celebrating Thanksgiving (his
meeting the Congressmen which took place on Thanksgiving
Day). The Congressmen and President Karzai closed the
meeting with some banter about exporting pomegranates to
the U.S. and making them part of the traditional
Thanksgiving feast.



10. (U) This cable had been cleared by Codel Murphy.
NEUMANN